Kristin Halmi Lesson Title: The Three Branches of Government/Checks and Balances Unit: Government Subject Areas: U.S. History Grade Level: 4th Grade Time Required: 1. PA State Standards 5.3.4.A: Identify the roles of the three branches of government. 5.3.4.B: Describe how the elected representative bodies function in making local and state laws. 2. NCSS Themes Individuals, Groups and Institutions & Power Authority and Governance 3. Big Ideas Active citizens understand the workings of government and use that knowledge for the common good. 4. Essential Questions · What are the three branches of government and their purposes? · Why is it important as a citizen to understand the three branches of government and their purposes? 5. Learning Objectives 1. After reviewing and learning about the three different branches of government, the students will be able to reenact the passing of a bill process in each branch of government working in small groups. 2. After the unit on the three branches of government is over, the students will be able to independently write a paragraph essay describing which branch of government they feel is most important and why (no correct answer). 3. The students will take an online quiz which will assess the students’ knowledge about the three branches of government. 6. Concepts and Vocabularies Legislative Judicial Executive President Congress Senate House of Representatives Supreme Court Bill Veto Checks and Balances 7. Materials Cutout of White House, Congress, and Supreme Court Cutouts of powers for each branch Computer/Internet for showing websites and quiz 8. Instruction/Procedures/Activities Engagement · Show song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLQg7G3hkGY about the three branches of government · During/After watching video record information onto board some of the characteristics of each branch · Allow students to explore this website http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/government/branches.html · Have the students work in groups of 3 to complete a matching activity. The students will be given an image of the three branches of government as well as cutouts of “powers.” The students will work together to match which power goes with which branch of government. (Active) · The students will work together in small groups to act out the process of passing a bill. Each student will represent a different branch of government in their group. (Integrative) · The students will write a paragraph essay explaining which branch of government they feel is the most important. This argument must be backed with at least 5 pieces of factual information. (Challenging) 9. Assessment Students will complete this short online quiz which will assess their basic knowledge about the three branches of government. The students are expected to receive a 12/15 on this quiz. Quiz: http://www.teachervision.fen.com/us-government-branches/quiz/2759.html
Lesson Title: The Three Branches of Government/Checks and Balances
Unit: Government
Subject Areas: U.S. History
Grade Level: 4th Grade
Time Required:
1. PA State Standards
5.3.4.A: Identify the roles of the three branches of government.
5.3.4.B: Describe how the elected representative bodies function in making local and state laws.
2. NCSS Themes
Individuals, Groups and Institutions & Power Authority and Governance
3. Big Ideas
Active citizens understand the workings of government and use that knowledge for the common good.
4. Essential Questions
· What are the three branches of government and their purposes?
· Why is it important as a citizen to understand the three branches of government and their purposes?
5. Learning Objectives
1. After reviewing and learning about the three different branches of government, the students will be able to reenact the passing of a bill process in each branch of government working in small groups.
2. After the unit on the three branches of government is over, the students will be able to independently write a paragraph essay describing which branch of government they feel is most important and why (no correct answer).
3. The students will take an online quiz which will assess the students’ knowledge about the three branches of government.
6. Concepts and Vocabularies
Legislative
Judicial
Executive
President
Congress
Senate
House of Representatives
Supreme Court
Bill
Veto
Checks and Balances
7. Materials
Cutout of White House, Congress, and Supreme Court
Cutouts of powers for each branch
Computer/Internet for showing websites and quiz
8. Instruction/Procedures/Activities
Engagement
· Show song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLQg7G3hkGY about the three branches of government
· During/After watching video record information onto board some of the characteristics of each branch
· Allow students to explore this website http://bensguide.gpo.gov/3-5/government/branches.html
· Have the students work in groups of 3 to complete a matching activity. The students will be given an image of the three branches of government as well as cutouts of “powers.” The students will work together to match which power goes with which branch of government. (Active)
· The students will work together in small groups to act out the process of passing a bill. Each student will represent a different branch of government in their group. (Integrative)
· The students will write a paragraph essay explaining which branch of government they feel is the most important. This argument must be backed with at least 5 pieces of factual information. (Challenging)
9. Assessment
Students will complete this short online quiz which will assess their basic knowledge about the three branches of government. The students are expected to receive a 12/15 on this quiz.
Quiz: http://www.teachervision.fen.com/us-government-branches/quiz/2759.html